How to get naked in Oregon: A statewide guide to nude recreation

Summer has officially come to Oregon. It's hot - really hot - and for many of our state's more daring locals, that means it's high time to strip naked and soak up the sun.

People here tend to be deeply divided on the issue of public nudity (the World Naked Bike Ride is an apt example), but love it or hate it, Oregon has an incredibly cozy relationship with getting naked in the open.

The first nudists - also known as naturists - organized back in the early 20th century. They were a group of locals who, inspired by the 1933 movie "Elysia (Valley of the Nude)," banded together to create "The Hesperian Society," what eventually became the state's first nudist resort.

Since then people have flocked to Oregon resorts, nude beaches, natural hot springs, clothing-optional spas and naked events, all for that feeling of being bare to the world.

Going nude isn't for everyone, but for the people who want to strip down and feel the sun on their skin - all of their skin - this is a great place to do it. For all your nude recreational pleasure, here's how to get naked in Oregon.

Sauvie Island - Collins Beach: The one-mile beach on the northeast side of Sauvie Island is reserved as clothing optional. The area is connected to the non-nude North Unit Beach, so be wary of gawkers and people who might be offended by your nudity.

$10 day use fee per vehicle

Rooster Rock State Park: Head east on I-84 past Troutdale to get to Rooster Rock State Park, then walk over to the easternmost side to find the popular nude beaches. The rest of the island is not clothing-optional, so be prepared to suit up as you walk back to your car.

$5 day use fee per vehicle

RESORTS

Squaw Mountain Ranch: Squaw Mountain Ranch is the oldest nudist resort west of the Mississippi, established back in 1933 as "The Hesperian Society." The ranch, nestled onto 19 acres near Estacada, has tent and RV camping, as well as cabin lodging, among wooded trails, open fields and a man-made lake.

Mountaindale Sun Resort: Formerly known as the Restful Haven Health Club, the 66-year-old resort plays host to nude recreation of all stripes. Located 30 miles northwest of Portland, Moutaindale offers a swimming pool, spa, pickleball court, volleyball court, horseshoe pit, playground and a clubhouse with indoor table games and a full kitchen.

The Willamettans: The Willamettans, formerly the Evergreen Lodge, boasts "a modern resort in a secluded setting." The Eugene-area facility features a year-round pool, clubhouse, cafe, recreation center and courts for all sports. RV and tent camping is available, but you can also rent one of the resort's many cabins, cottages and trailers.

Alpenglow Ranch B&B: While not truly a resort, Alpenglow Ranch is a gorgeous secluded getaway for naturists in Oregon. With 51 private acres and a view of the Cascades, the Bend-area ranch is easily one of the most scenic places to get naked in the northwest. Two guest suites guarantee a more personal experience.

Terwilliger (Cougar) Hot Springs - Located on the Cougar Reservoir, Terwillger Hot Springs is commonly known as Cougar Hot Springs, a group of five soaking pools separated by rock walls along a forested ravine. Terwilliger is a popular spot for naturists, and is clothing optional at all times. ($7 day use fee per person)

McCredie Hot Springs - Pull off OR-58 in the depths of the Willamette National Forest to find McCredie Hot Springs, a popular clothing-optional hot spring with several pools, known for water that tends to run either extremely hot or a bit too cold.

Deer Creek Hot Springs - One of the smallest hot springs in Oregon, Deer Creek (also known as Bigelow Hot Springs) consists of just one small pool, nestled alongside the McKenzie River off OR-126 in the Willamette National Forest. Nudity is allowed, but be aware: the hot springs are often visible from the road.

Umpqua Hot Springs - A favorite in central Oregon, the Umpqua Hot Springs are buried deep within the Umpqua National Forest on a cliff-top perch above the North Umpqua River. Two to three serene pools are usually available in addition to the main covered pool.

*Bagby Hot Springs - Bagby Hot Springs has had a reputation as a haven for nude soakers, but management of the springs has cracked down hard on communal nudity, banning it outright from the public pools. Private tubs are now the only place at Bagby where nudity is allowed.

BATHHOUSES and SPAS

Common Ground Wellness Cooperative - It's a choose-you-own-experience at Common Ground, a bathhouse and spa tucked away in northeast Portland. The clothing-optional communal soaking tub is typically co-ed, but Common Ground regularly offers nights that are women-only, men-only, trans-only and silent.

Everett House Healing Center - Going to a spa can mean very different things to different people, and the Everett House in Portland wisely splits the experience with a social area - complete with a 12-person saltwater tub, lounge chairs and a fire pit - and a meditative quiet area, where you'll find a small sauna, steam room and two flotation tanks.

Breitenbush Hot Springs - Officially a retreat and conference center, Breitenbush has a serene group of clothing-optional hot springs on its 154-acre property just northeast of Detroit. Book a room at the retreat or just pop in for the day.

Hidden Springs Nudist Club - Established in 1969, Portland's own Hidden Springs is Oregon's oldest non-landed nudist club, accepting members of all ages for its family-friendly activities. Go "bare bowling," join member potlucks, and join the group for various special events at local nude resorts.

Sun Rovers - The Portland-based nudist group travels as far south as Eugene and as far north as Tacoma for clothing-optional events, and meets monthly at local resorts, members' homes and other venues around the region.

What's the appeal to being nude?Why not just wear a bathing suit? Is it really that different? The Oregonian/OregonLive ask men and women at nude beaches and resorts what's the appeal to nudism.

Bare Spirits - Headquartered in Dallas, Bare Spirits likes to travel to nude events like any other club, but it's also known for its annual two-day party known simply as "Bash," with live music and big meals served in the buff.

OMEN - Oregon Men Enjoying Naturism is a Portland-area group for gay and bisexual male nudists. The social group, which is not affiliated with the American Association for Nude Recreation, organizes hikes and campouts around the area in the warmer season, hosting dinners, dances and other events year-round.

World Naked Bike Ride - The nude cycling event is technically a protest - against oil, for cycling rights and in support of body positivity - and it takes place every year in cities around the world. One of the biggest gatherings takes place in Portland, where some 10,000 people have come to cycle in the buff.

Ride held every June in Portland and cities around the world

Naked Goddess Swim - The Naked Goddess Swim invites mortal women to shed their suits and inhibitions and swim nude in the moonlight. The event started in 2013 in Oregon City, but has since moved to downtown Portland as it's grown.

Squaw Mountain Ranch Music Festival - Oregon's oldest nude resort is also home to a 23-year-old music festival, which this year will bring nine acts over four days of festivities on the 19-acre resort near Estacada.

The Skinny-Dip - The American Association for Nude Recreation organizes a massive simultaneous skinny dip every year, coordinating nude swimming events with its members across the country. Not all resorts in Oregon participate every year.